Stir Your Own Pot | Previous Challenge Entry

how it works

TITLE: Stir Your Own Pot | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pat Small
11/17/15
LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
SEND A PRIVATE COMMENT
ADD TO MY FAVORITES

My sunny, yellow kitchen was warm and cozy, even though outside it was dark and dreary. I stood at my counter, reading the recipe, even though I had made my famous chocolate cake hundreds of times. Stir in the dry ingredients, alternating with the milk, I read.

That put me in mind of the Apostle Paul’s admonition to Timothy to “stir up the gift that is within you.” (II Timothy 1:6) My fertile imagination spun off from the mixing bowl to the whole subject of gifts. From subject to subject, I covered the entire spectrum. I remembered that Christmas is just around the corner, and my mind wandered to memories of years past. Squeals of delight as wrapping paper yielded to frenzied little hands, and the coveted toy appeared. My now teenaged grandchildren seem to be more delighted with cash or a gift card. But never mind; those are still gifts, albeit less exciting for me to choose and give. I contemplated the idea that a gift does not require excitement, at least on the part of the giver, to be appreciated.

Eventually my mind got back to the cake, even as I mused over the list of spiritual gifts I could remember, trying again to determine my particular gift, or gifts. Preaching – obviously not. Teaching – not too good at that either. Giving, mercies, hospitality, exhortation, administration…. Well, I do like to boss people around. I wonder if that counts. I have organized a camp kitchen, including menus, purchases and supervising the cooks. Everyone got enough to eat, the cook didn’t quit, and I stayed within the budget. That might be it, I guessed.

On the other hand, I was also quite adept at exhorting people to get busy in the Lord’s work, or Bible study or witnessing. Maybe that qualified? I could usually get our young people to do what I asked. Our youth group had thrived under our leadership. I considered the idea as I slid the cake pan into the oven.

Hospitality maybe? The dear Lord knows our house has been a mini-Grand Central Station over the years. I could never even guess at the number of meals I’ve cooked or the snacks I’ve prepared. Not to mention the sheets I have washed and beds I have changed. Hmm, that’s definitely a possibility.

Wow, I think I have a lot more introspection and prayer ahead of me before I worry about stirring other people’s pots. In the meantime, I’d better check on that cake.

PREVIOUS ENTRY | NEXT ENTRY
SUBMIT YOUR ENTRY FOR THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE

The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.

Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.